Islam in Prison
Finding Faith, Freedom and Fraternity
By Matthew Wilkinson, Lamia Irfan, Muzammil Quraishi and Mallory Schneuwly Purdie
Published
Dec 6, 2022Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1447363606Dimensions
216 x 138 mmImprint
Policy PressClick to order from North America, Canada and South America
Published
Dec 6, 2022Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1447363613Dimensions
216 x 138 mmImprint
Policy PressClick to order from North America, Canada and South America
Islam in Prison
This overview of how Islam is understood and practised in British and European prisons is an indispensable primer for prison and legal practitioners and policy-makers and contributes a much-needed evidence-base to a controversial subject.
Based on original evidence from 279 Muslim prisoners and 79 prison officers, it explores how Muslims come to be incarcerated, how the practice of Islam affects rehabilitation, the types and effects of Islamic conversion and the professional practice of officers and chaplains. The authors also investigate the common belief that incarceration fosters Islamist extremism. Based on this evidence, they suggest improvements to provision and rehabilitative opportunities for Muslim prisoners.
Matthew Wilkinson is Professor of Religion in Public Life at Cardiff University.
Lamia Irfan is Applied Research Lead at techology and management consultancy Capco.
Muzammil Quraishi is Senior Lecturer in Criminology & Criminal Justice at the University of Salford.
Mallory Schneuwly-Purdie is a Senior Researcher at the Swiss Centre for Islam and Society, University of Fribourg.
Foreword – Sir David Calvert-Smith and Eoin McLennan Murray
Introduction: A Tale of Three Prisoners
1. Where Does Islam Come from and Who Are Muslim Prisoners?
2. What Is Islam in Prison?
3. Finding Their Faith: Why Do Prisoners Choose Islam?
4. What Types of Islam Do Prisoners Follow?
5. Mainstream Islam in Prison
6. Islamism and Islamist Extremism in Prison
7. The Lives of Muslim Prisoners: Opportunities and Risks
8. Caring for Muslim Prisoners: Muslim Prison Chaplaincy
9. Managing Muslim Prisoners: Treading a Middle Path Between Naivety and Suspicion
10. Conclusions: Finding the Virtuous Cycle
